The HSE has said concerns over the personal protective equipment that is being brought in from China are being addressed.
Several deliveries have landed this week; however, healthcare staff have warned that the masks are of poor quality and the gowns are too small.
HSE Chief Operating Officer Anne O’Connor said the equipment is being assessed as it arrives in Ireland and the suppliers are working to address the issues.
She said health workers have raised two main issues with the equipment that has come in so far.
“One is the fear that it is not fit for purpose in terms of healthcare; however, all of the stock that is arriving, that has been ordered through that supply chain,is being assessed when it arrives,” she said.
“Some it looks and feels different. It is suitable in terms of meeting standards but it is not what we would have traditionally used in terms of the gowns in particular.”
She said the issues will have been addressed in the equipment that is arriving next week
“That shipment when it starts to arrive, which is from April 9th onwards, will have already addressed the challenges that we are picking up with the first batch,” she said.
“We are constantly troubleshooting.”
Earlier today, the Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe admitted that the new equipment was not standard for the Irish health service, but insisted all of it would be put to good use.
Ireland has a framework agreement for the purchase of large quantities of supplies from China, the first batches of which arrived on Sunday.
It was the first of a number of flights delivering PPE to the country.
